Universal Soldier (1992)

Two rival soldiers who were killed in Vietnam are brought back to life in a top secret military experiment that creates superhuman warriors.

Director:

Roland Emmerich

Writers:

Richard Rothstein, Christopher Leitch

Stars:

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Ally Walker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Luc Deveraux / GR44
Dolph Lundgren	...	Andrew Scott / GR13
Ally Walker	...	Veronica Roberts
Ed O'Ross	...	Colonel Perry
Jerry Orbach	...	Dr. Christopher Gregor
Leon Rippy	...	Woodward
Tico Wells	...	Garth
Ralf Moeller	...	GR76 (as Ralph Moeller)
Robert Trebor	...	Motel Owner
Gene Davis	...	Lieutenant
Drew Snyder	...	Charles
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	GR55 (as 'Tiny' Lister Jr.)
Simon Rhee	...	GR61
Eric Norris	...	GR86
Michael Winther	...	Technician

Storyline

An elite team of soldiers has been used against terrorists where they use astounding physical capabilities to overcome them. Victoria, a reporter, follows them and discovers a part of their secret. When one of the team kills her cameraman she tries to escape. Luc, one of the soldiers begins to have flashbacks and turns sides and helps her as the remainder of the team follows to protect their secrets.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | reporter | scientist | super soldier | top secret | 

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Taglines:

The future has a bad attitude.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence, and for strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film had a budget of $23 million. It ended up being a success at the box office earning up to $36 million domestically (the United States and Canada) and $79 million overseas, totalling to $102 million worldwide.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 23 mins) In Deveraux's parents' house, the clock on the mantle reads 8:20 when it is first shown. Several minutes later, the clock still reads 8:20.

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Quotes

Woodward: Colonel Perry. We killed an innocent man.
Colonel Perry: What do you suggest we do, Woodward? Let that reporter run off with one of our UniSols?
Woodward: We can't just cover this up. We have a moral obligation to tell the truth about this.
Colonel Perry: I thought you were more clever than that, Woodward. This whole goddamn program is off the shelf. Do you really think for one second those wimps at the Pentagon... would allow the regeneration of dead soldiers, American soldiers?

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Alternate Versions

The new Region 1 Special Edition DVD features an alternate ending: Andrew Scott guns down Luc Devereaux's mother before their big fight. After Luc wins, he is shotgunned by his father before Dr. Gregor explains that those weren't his real parents. Then, agents with Dr. Gregor gun down Luc until the police, a news crew and a UniSol tech arrive to save his life and arrest the doctor and his men. Finally, there is a voice-over by Veronica with scenes of Luc reuniting with his real parents. In the voice-over, Veronica explains that Luc lived for two months, enjoying his family's company, but refusing any medical treatment until he died of natural causes.

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Connections

Referenced in Solo (1996)

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Soundtracks

Breakin' Up, Breakin' Down
Written by Wendy Kramer and Harry Shannon

User Reviews

Universal Soldier

The premise and the cast outweigh the storyline and that's the real shame about this film. You have two big names in the action scene of the 90s and an up and coming mega director. The real issue with the film is the lack of a coherent explanation for the storyline. The film has a large action scope and that car chase scene later in the film looks incredible on 4k. There was a better film to made here and it's a shame they didn't exploit the use of the two leads. Van Damme is very quiet and lacks the usual charisma that comes with his films. Let's be honest, the two leads don't have strong acting traits, but they do maintain presence. The film could've been different and grittier, but something was not right in the pre-production and production of this film.

Details

Official Sites:

Studio Canal [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crystal Knights

Filming Locations:

Hualapai Indian Reservation, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,057,084, 12 July 1992

Gross USA:

$36,299,898

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$36,299,898

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Carolco Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 84 min (heavily cut) (TV)

Sound Mix:

CDS (digital 35 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (analog 35 mm prints) (4 channels) DTS (5.1) Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1